
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 6, 1990                   TAG: 9007060771
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BOSTON                                LENGTH: Short

COUPLE GET PROBATION IN SON'S DEATH

A couple were sentenced to 10 years' probation today for allowing their son to die while treating him with Christian Science healing methods rather than taking him to a doctor.

David and Ginger Twitchell were ordered to take their surviving children for regular medical checkups as a part of their probationary sentence for manslaughter.

Suffolk Superior Court Judge Sandra Hamlin rejected a prosecution request that the couple be jailed if they violated any term of the sentence.

The Twitchells, both 34 and lifelong Christian Scientists, faced up to 20 years in prison. Hamlin had indicated Thursday, however, that she did not believe the couple should be behind bars for the 1986 death of their 2 1/2-year-old son, Robyn.

The couple were found guilty of manslaughter Wednesday; their lawyer has said they would appeal.

- Associated Press

by CNB